Blessed are the feet of those who bring Good News.
1) Chronological Life of Jesus
If you want to gain a deeper understanding of the life of Jesus and how He was led by His Father’s plan for our salvation, Mike Mazzalongo’s Life of Jesus in Chronological Order is an excellent resource (click here https://bibletalk.tv/life-of-jesus). This video-based Bible study helps trace the why, where, when, what, and how of Jesus’ life and ministry. It is an eye-opening study that brings the events of the Gospels together in a clear, meaningful way. read more…
2) Upgrading Missions Updates and Newsletters
Want to strengthen your mission updates and newsletters for supporters, churches, and ministry partners? This resource outlines four key ingredients, along with practical do’s, don’ts, and tips for more effective communication. It also includes a free story tracker, newsletter builder, and sample newsletter. Check it out here: https://www.mrnet.org/mc-blog/2026-10. What newsletter tips do you have for Brigada readers? Please comment! read more…
3) Consistent Prayer?
Looking for a simple tool to bring more focus and consistency to prayer? Val Marie Paper offers guided prayer journals designed to help users organize prayer requests, reduce distractions, and notice answered prayers over time. Options include journals for adults, men, children, pregnancy, and adoption, as well as gift and bulk-purchase options. https://www.valmariepaper.com/about/journals/. (Thanks Jennifer!) What tool do you use, if any, for consistent prayer? Please share! read more…
4) The Disciple-Making Pastor
Is your church serious about making disciples—but unsure how to build it into everyday ministry? In The Disciple-Making Pastor: Leading Others on the Journey of Faith, Bill Hull addresses common barriers to disciple making, describes the pastor’s role, and offers practical approaches for helping new believers grow in commitment and obedience. The revised and expanded edition was published by Baker Books in 2007 and includes a six-step coaching process.
The book is written primarily for pastors and church leaders who want to move disciple making from a stated value to a consistent ministry practice. Check it out at https://www.amazon.com/Disciple-Making-Pastor-Leading-Others-Journey/dp/0801066220. (Thanks Dr. Miller!) What resource do you find helpful for pastors? Please comment. read more…
5) Single in Ministry?
Single in ministry or looking for a resource to encourage someone who is? Tim Herbert’s The Road Not Taken: Making the Most of the Single Life explores a healthy theology of singleness, practical ways to navigate difficult seasons, and the importance of personal discipleship. It is written for Christians who are single—whether never married, divorced, or widowed—and for churches seeking to better understand and support them. The ebook is available for £4.99 directly from the author’s website and is delivered as an EPUB file in a ZIP download. Check it out – https://timherbert.org/product/the-road-not-taken-ebook/. read more…
6) Preparing Your Children for an International Move?
TCK Hub offers two downloadable International Moving Journals designed to help Third Culture Kids process the emotions, memories, identity questions, and practical changes that can accompany a cross-cultural transition. One is tailored for ages 6–11, while the other is for ages 12 and up.
Both $9.99 journals include more than 40 reflection prompts and activities; they can be used independently or with parents, educators, counselors, or international-school staff. This could be a practical care resource for globally mobile families, sending churches, and mission organizations. Check it out at this link: https://tckhub.com/paid-resources/?item=teen-moving-booklet. (Thanks Maleah). read more…
7) Healthy Tech Habits
Want a simple first step toward healthier family technology habits? This five-minute resource encourages parents to lead by example: choose one device-free time or place—such as a meal, bedroom, car ride, or the hour before bed—and have everyone participate. It also offers practical suggestions for setting boundaries, handling resistance, and replacing screen time with shared activities.
Check it out at https://www.familyitguy.com/family-tech-balance.html. What tips do you have for families, children, and technology? read more…
8) Feeling the Demands of Ministry?
In Flourishing in Ministry: How to Cultivate Clergy Wellbeing, Matt Bloom offers practical guidance for pastors and those who support them, drawing on more than a decade of research involving over 5,000 clergy surveys and 300 in-depth interviews.
Published in 2019, the book explores sustainable well-being in ministry, including daily health, resilience, relationships, and a sense of purpose. It could be a worthwhile resource for pastors, mission leaders, sending agencies, and anyone responsible for the care of cross-cultural workers. (Thanks, Amy!) Check it out: https://www.amazon.com/Flourishing-Ministry-Cultivate-Clergy-Wellbeing/dp/1538118963. read more…
I’m not gonna lie (Doug talking), I’m loving Obsidian + Notebook Navigator + Operon + Omnisearch. Learn more at https://obsidian.md/. (Click “Read more” for our impressions so far.) read more…
10) Missio Nexus: Your Take
Were you there at Missio Nexus — just over one week ago? What were the highlights for you? We enjoyed….
- Rallying our dozen or so team members, all crowded around one table, debriefing and processing all the sessions and workshops.
- Visiting with all the vendors and service organizations in the exhibit area.
- Ted Esler’s talk in the final session:
- The Reality of Discipleship vs. Programs: While content can spread, events can grow, and programs can scale quickly, deep discipleship is slow, relational, and requires patience and personal presence.
- Lack of Common Language: He noted that the church and mission community often lack a shared language and clear metrics for true discipleship.
- Shallow Discipleship as a Major Risk: He warned that a desire for instant gratification and fast, scalable digital metrics can lead to spiritual immaturity and ineffective discipleship.
- Structural Hindrances: He discussed how certain church and organizational structures can inadvertently work against deep, slow, and multi-generational spiritual investment, challenging leaders to shift focus from merely reaching more people to making mature disciples.
- Brand Unveiling: Earlier in the event, he also introduced a refreshed brand identity and website experience for Missio Nexus.
- Workshops galore – tracks for everyone.
- And the food – whoa. Best ever. The treats in the exhibit hall worked. They pulled *all* of us in to visit exhibits. haha
What did *you* enjoy? What did you take home? What were your team’s best memories?
Don’t forget to reserve next year’s event — September 14 to September 16, 2027, at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center – which sounds like somewhere in Kenya, but is actually in the USA in Spotsylvania/Fredericksburg, Virginia. Spotsylvania – sounds like the hub for playing your favorite play list, right? Either way – you won’t want to miss it. The food alone is worth the trip. : )
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